1st TSC supports Month of the Military Child at Fort Knox's Kingsolver Elementary School

By Barbara Gersna, 1st TSC Public AffairsApril 26, 2021

Soldiers with the 1st Theater Sustainment Command showed their support for the children attending Kingsolver Elementary School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 23, 2021. The Soldiers created posters and cheered on the families of the Fort Knox community in observance of the Month of the Military Child. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams, 1st TSC PAO)
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers with the 1st Theater Sustainment Command showed their support for the children attending Kingsolver Elementary School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 23, 2021. The Soldiers created posters and cheered on the families of the Fort Knox community in observance of the Month of the Military Child. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams, 1st TSC PAO) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers from the 1st Theater Sustainment Command depart Kingsolver Elementary School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 23, 2021 after cheering on and providing encouragement to the children arriving for class .The month of April is designated as Month of the Military Child to let children know that their resiliency and ability to change and adapt is appreciated.   during the Month of the Military Child. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams, 1st TSC PAO)
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 1st Theater Sustainment Command depart Kingsolver Elementary School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 23, 2021 after cheering on and providing encouragement to the children arriving for class .The month of April is designated as Month of the Military Child to let children know that their resiliency and ability to change and adapt is appreciated. during the Month of the Military Child. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams, 1st TSC PAO) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams) VIEW ORIGINAL
The child of a Soldier assigned to the 1st Theater Sustainment Command stops for a photo outside Kingsolver Elementary school before the start of class, April 23, 2021.  Soldiers with the 1st Theater Sustainment Command showed their support for the children by creating posters and cheering on the families of the Fort Knox community in observance of the Month of the Military Child. The month of April is designated as Month of the Military Child to let children know that their resiliency and ability to change and adapt is appreciated. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams, 1st TSC PAO)
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The child of a Soldier assigned to the 1st Theater Sustainment Command stops for a photo outside Kingsolver Elementary school before the start of class, April 23, 2021. Soldiers with the 1st Theater Sustainment Command showed their support for the children by creating posters and cheering on the families of the Fort Knox community in observance of the Month of the Military Child. The month of April is designated as Month of the Military Child to let children know that their resiliency and ability to change and adapt is appreciated. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams, 1st TSC PAO) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sgt. Tuu Valaau, human resources noncommissioned officer, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, looks over her shoulder at children as they arrive at Kingsolver Elementary School, Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 23, 2021. The Soldiers created posters and cheered on the families of the Fort Knox community in observance of the Month of the Military Child. The month of April is designated as Month of the Military Child to let children know that their resiliency and ability to change and adapt is appreciated.  (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams, 1st TSC PAO)
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Tuu Valaau, human resources noncommissioned officer, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, looks over her shoulder at children as they arrive at Kingsolver Elementary School, Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 23, 2021. The Soldiers created posters and cheered on the families of the Fort Knox community in observance of the Month of the Military Child. The month of April is designated as Month of the Military Child to let children know that their resiliency and ability to change and adapt is appreciated. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams, 1st TSC PAO) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers with the 1st Theater Sustainment Command showed their support for the children attending Kingsolver Elementary School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 23, 2021. The Soldiers created posters and cheered on the families of the Fort Knox community in observance of the Month of the Military Child.  (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams, 1st TSC PAO)
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers with the 1st Theater Sustainment Command showed their support for the children attending Kingsolver Elementary School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 23, 2021. The Soldiers created posters and cheered on the families of the Fort Knox community in observance of the Month of the Military Child. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams, 1st TSC PAO) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Nahjier Williams) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT KNOX, Ky. -- 1st Theater Sustainment Command Soldiers, civilian employees and family members clapped and cheered for Kingsolver Elementary School students as they were dropped off for school April 23 at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Supporters were holding signs of encouragement to help recognize the military children who attend Kingsolver to celebrate April as the Month of the Military Child. Teachers and members of the school’s Parent Teacher Organization also wore purple shirts as a sign of support.

The school, which is located near 1st TSC headquarters, is sponsored by the 1st TSC and several Soldiers’ children attend the elementary school. Christina Tuner, secretary of the Parent Teacher Organization, reached out to coordinate the Soldier support for the event. She said they were excited about the number of Soldiers that turned out for the kids.

“This morning went off without a hitch,” Turner said. “Everyone was very excited and the kiddos absolutely loved it. The principal was thrilled with the support that you guys provided.”

Spc. Jacob McGee, maintenance mechanic, 1st TSC, has two children who attend Kingsolver Elementary School.

“My kids love it here,” he said. “They have integrated classes, and my daughter, who communicates using sign language, is in class with kids who speak and they all get to learn together.”

McGee said that this integrated approach is good for all of the kids and that the teachers are experienced and understanding.

“They teach that everyone is equal,” he said. “They are also great at pin pointing their needs, and focusing on those aspects of their education.”

“My daughter loves to read now.” McGee said that she even reads to her two-year-old brother and with him most nights before bedtime. He attributes her desire to read to her teachers at Kingsolver.

Sgt. 1st Class Ruta Alexander, equal opportunity leader, 1st TSC, has a daughter in second grade who attends Kingsolver. “She loves the school and her teachers,” she said. Alexander just relocated here and said that they’ve been very welcoming. She also said that the building is very nice, and they have new technology.

Parents who dropped off their children thanked those cheering and holding signs. “Thanks much for doing this. It means a lot,” one dad yelled back to a group of Soldiers. Students were smiling and some recorded their supporters as they rolled past the groups. A few dogs were even along for the morning drop-off. They hung out windows, tilted their heads, and barked.

The Month of the Military child was established to honor military children and their families for the sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome. This year’s theme is “Military Children and Youth: A Resilient Force in a Changing World.”